Carling workers to discuss new shift patterns before b...

Carling workers to discuss new shift patterns before ballot on deal

Employees at the Molson Coors brewery in Burton-on-Trent want more information on the proposed new shift patterns before balloting on a ‘radically improved’ pay and conditions deal.

Unite, the country’s largest union, said that the ballot result will now be announced on Monday 1 July.

Unite regional officer Rick Coyle said: “Members have requested team meetings with management for detailed information regarding the proposed new shift patterns and how it will affect them.

“Unite has extended the balloting period to give members the chance to fully understand the proposed new shifts before voting on the offer. The ballot result will be announced on 1 July.

“Molson Coors has agreed to pause the 90-day consultation while balloting is in progress. The consultation had been due to finish on 14 June.”

The dispute centres on pay and conditions, as well as the new shift patterns. The package that the 455-strong workforce will vote on was hammered out after two days of talks last week between Unite and the management of Britain’s biggest brewery.

Last month, workers voted by a margin of 97 per cent in favour of strike action in the dispute over the management’s original proposals – but this has now been put ‘on hold’, pending the ballot result.

The Burton plant produces Carling, Grolsch, Coors Lite and Cobra lagers, as well as beers including Worthington, White Shield and Stones.